Questionnaire Translation, Adaptation, and Co‐Creation of the Swedish Version of the Fear of Pain Questionnaire Child Report Short Form

ABSTRACT

Pain avoidant behavior is a predictive factor for reduced function in children with persistent pain. A model to explain this is the Fear‐Avoidance Model of Pain (FAM). In FAM pain‐related fear plays an important role in the development and maintenance of avoidant behavior. The Fear of Pain Questionnaire—Child Report Short Form (FOPQC‐SF) was developed to assess pain‐related fear in children 8 to 18 years old. Self‐report questionnaires must be translated and adapted to the language and context where they will be used. The aim of this study was therefore to develop a Swedish version of the FOPQC‐SF in collaboration with children. Translation and linguistic adaptation of the FOPQC‐SF was performed using the dual‐panel method in two steps. First, a bilingual panel created a first Swedish version of the questionnaire. This first version was then presented to a panel of five children without persistent pain and revised according to their feedback. Secondly, the translated and revised Swedish version of the FOPQC‐SF was used for individual cognitive interviews with six children with persistent pain. The bilingual panel found the FOPQC‐SF unproblematic to translate and consensus was easily achieved. Revisions were made regarding instructions, response options, item‐wording and layout. The children also found the questionnaire acceptable and relevant. In conclusion, we consider the Swedish version of the FOPQC‐SF to be a relevant and useful tool in research as well as in clinical practice to assess pain‐related fear. Psychometric testing will provide further information about the tool's clinical usefulness.